EA Sports' "NCAA Basketball 10" Lets Users Pick Announcers

EA Sport's "NCAA Basketball 10" To Feature
Both ESPN And CBS Elements For First Time

EA Sports today releases its latest college basketball video game “NCAA Basketball 10,” which for the first time will include extensive amounts of content, announcers, music and themes from both ESPN and CBS. The game had previously featured some ESPN material as part of a larger relationship between the two companies, but the addition of CBS marks the first time a sports videogame has featured a dual integration from two broadcast brands. In the game itself, users can select which themes and announcers they want -- ESPN’s Brad Nessler, Dick Vitale and Erin Andrews, or CBS’ Gus Johnson and Bill Raftery. The default setting within the season mode features ESPN for mid-week games, and CBS for many weekend games and the entire NCAA tournament. “We really tried to maintain that authenticity and true-to-life feel, which frankly aided in getting the licensing done,” said EA Sports Producer Connor Dougan. "When you think of college basketball, both these brands are synonymous with the sport, so we made the decision to go after both. We’re out there competing for dollars with a lot of other titles, including ones of our own like 'Madden' and 'FIFA,' and other entertainment, so we have to give consumers something that differentiates ourselves.” The game, however, does not include “One Shining Moment,” traditionally played by CBS following the national championship game. Dougan: “That would have required additional licensing, and our resources for this year were really focused on this dual integration. But it’s something we’d still love to have in future editions."